Barcelona’s Gerard Martín, playing center-back against Athletic Club, impressed fans with his performance, leading to the resurgence of his affectionate nickname, ‘Gerard Maldini,’ after the legendary Italian defender.
The affectionate nickname for Barcelona defender Gerard Martín has made a high-profile return online, following his impressive performance in the club’s domestic fixture on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
The Blaugrana faced former manager Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club in a La Liga EA Sports meeting at Spotify Camp Nou.
Martín, a 23-year-old star, was given a starting position by manager Hansi Flick, unexpectedly slotting into a centre-back role—a position away from his usual full-back duties.
Despite the positional shift, the player demonstrated he was not “at all out of place at the heart of Barca’s backline,” showcasing a performance that was “Stout in his defensive duties and solid in possession.”
His composed display has cemented his status as a “real option as a central defender” for Flick’s tactical plans going forward.
The club’s fanbase, recognizing his efforts, flooded social media with praise and re-dubbed the stopper ‘Gerard Maldini’, referencing AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo, who is “widely considered one of the best defenders to ever play the game.” One fan commented on X (formerly Twitter):
“Surprisingly I think we might have our Inigo Martinez in Him.” Another post simply hailed him: “Lord Gerard Maldini.”